A Trouble-free Life

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Joseph is a wonderful example of a man after God’s own heart, and so much can be learned from his life. The thing that I find heartening about his story is that his life reflects what we would most like to deny—the simple fact that life is not easy or trouble-free simply because we serve a powerful God.
You know the story: Joseph was betrayed by his jealous brothers who really wanted to murder him (Gen. 37:18). Fortunately for him (and ultimately them), the eldest brother convinced them not to kill him (Gen.37:21-22). Instead, while Rueben was away, the brothers sold Joseph for profit to a group of Midianites traveling to Egypt where he became a slave in the house of Potiphar (Gen. 39:1). For all intents and purposes, Joseph was dead to his family. That seems about as dire a situation imaginable—a seriously deep valley. While Joseph was in this situation, it probably felt hopeless and dark, BUT all the while, God was with Joseph, and He made everything he did to prosper (Gen. 39:3). Even though he was enslaved, Joseph found favor in God’s eyes (Gen. 39: 4). Joseph chose to serve God in a difficult situation in a foreign land. As a result, he became an overseer in Potiphar’s house because he realized God’s hand of blessing upon Joseph and everything he touched (Gen. 39:4-5).
Apparently, Joseph was a hunk and Potiphar’s wife lusted after him and propositioned him on a regular basis (Gen. 39: 6, 10). He rejected her (multiple times) and acted righteously even though she tempted him daily (Gen. 39:9-10). As a result, she chose an opportune time when no one was around to tempt him again (Gen. 39:11). However, Joseph showed great integrity in fleeing from her, and he did so this time with such haste that his garment ripped from his body (Gen. 39:13). Potiphar’s wife used his clothing as “proof” that he tried to attach her (Gen.39:14-15). Just when things had been going well for the enslaved Joseph, he landed in a prison where the king’s prisoners were confined (Gen. 39:20), BUT God gave him favor in prison, was present with him in that prison, and showed him mercy and favor in the keeper’s sight to the point that Joseph became a keeper of all the other prisoners (Gen. 39:21-22). Even though he is in prison, which seems even worse that being a slave, everything Joseph did prospered (Gen. 39:23).
We so much want for life to go according to our hopes and plans, but God has a better plan for us that we could possibly imagine for ourselves. He is creative beyond our comprehension, is powerful beyond comparison, and has insight that reaches beyond eternity, which makes our understanding seem rather limited. God weaves all the broken pieces of our lives together to make it a beautiful offering to Him when our lives are finished—IF we seek Him and serve Him in all we do, as Joseph chose to do. Before he was sold into slavery, Joseph’s life was as easy as it could be (considering he had eleven brothers from four mothers). He was his father’s favorite, the oldest son of the beloved wife. But through the experiences he had in Egypt, I have to believe that Joseph learned humility from his experiences; he learned the value of trust; he learned that His only rock was Jehovah God. Whether things are going well or life is in the pits, there really is nowhere we can go that God is not already there. He is always with us, and His plans for us are good (Jer. 29:11) because no matter what situation we find ourselves in, He has designed it to cause us to seek him, and if we cry out to Him, He will listen (Jer. 29:12). When we search for Him with our entire beings, He will let us find Him, and best yet, He promises to bring us back from our captivity (Jer. 29:13-14). I feel pretty sure that Joseph understood his Father’s heart for him.


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